Omaha daily bee., 1887-01-07
Of erection from the counties of Keith and
Dawes respectively.
FISH COMMISSION.


The general interest taken in the subject OF
fish culture is shown by the fact that thirty
five states have in active prosecution oil thlS
work commissions similar to our own. In
our own state the interest has increased
until now it has become an accepted
fact that fish culture in Nebraska is success:
The fine exhibit made by the commission at
the state fair during the year 1873, ana re-
peated upon a larger scale in 1856, served to
attract the attention OF our. people, ana to
impress upon them more tully the Importance
and possibilities attaching TO THIS industry
under proper and INTELLIGENT management
The reports of commissioners and superln-
tendents in charge for the last two years
cover fully the entire field of their operations,
presenting the result of their laborS in at
tractivc and convenient form, ami viii well
repay you for carlul reading. \ large mum.
Der of private ponds have been stocked, and
the demand is constantly increasing. The
work is in excellent hands, and speaking for
themselves the commissioners state that they
feel the greatest assurances of its ultimate and
profitable success. 1t would be well for your
committee to confer with the commissioners
and Superintendent as TO their further needs
and grant literally for this purpose.
MILITIA.
The active militia of the state, designated
as the Nebraska National Guards, is by law
limited to two regiments of infantry. one
company of artillery and two batalIionS OF
cavalry, of not more than three nor less than
two companies aud such independent COM
panieS and batallions as the good OF the ser
vice may require.
The Organization remains the same as at
the date of my biennial report January,
1sS5-ten companies OF infantry and one
company of artillery. 1t has not been
deemed advisable to enter upon the organl'
zation of a second regiment and have de-
of independent companies by reason of the
limited appropriation for such purpose.
1t is recommended by the Adju-
tant general, and in my Judgment
should be formed, with appropriation in
such amount, and made available in such
manner, rs will enable the governor to place
our militia force upon such footing of equip
ment general efficiency and strength, that
he may, if called upon in time OF emergency
to execute the laws or suppress insurrection,
fully meet his constitutional obligation.
The provision OF law, regarding. encamp.
of which, together with the report of Lieu
tenent Edgar 5. Dudley of the regular army,
who was, upon my application to the secre-
tary of war, detailed to visit, make nsDec
and condition of the Nebraska National
guards. will be found in the very full and
detailed report of the djutantgenera!
LIVE STOCK INTERESTS.
The magnitude 0f the live stock interests
of y ebraska and the constant menace to
that interest from the fear OF the introduc-
tion into our state of animals suffering from
contagious pleuro- pneumonia, Texas or
splenlc fever, and other contagious and in
fectious diseases, prompted the Legislature of
1888 to the enactment OF law concerning
the care of, and to prevent the spread OF con-
tagious and infectious diseases among our
domestic animals, aud providing for the
appointment of live stock sanitary COM
mission and state veterinarian, defining
their powers and duties, and regulating their
compensation.
The state was fortunate in securing for the
important position of state veterinarian a
nf
and especially fortunate in securing the
services of the three industrious, energetic,
and experienced stOckmen who comprise the
live stock sanitary commission, and who
have, in con unction with the veterinary
surgeon, so successfully carried out the pro-
visions of this law. Their report, which has
been printed will be placed in your hands,
and the great Importance of the interests in
discussed, discus " will I' lead d'''' you 'e'eto to
carefully weigh and consider its various
recommendations with reference to needed
amendments in the present law. This work
should be strengthened in every needed way.
The recent experience of other states has de-
monstrated Its necessity. l would ask your
special attention to their recommendation as
to the value to be placed upon condemned
animals. and concur in recommending IL
twO-thirdS compensation.
l would also advise the adoption of sug-
gested amendment authorizing the employ
ment by the commissioners or veterinarian of
expert assistance III time of emergency; and
it has seemed to Inc that the public service
would be strengthened If the inspectors at
the several ports of entry were employed by
the state instead of the corporation whose
shipments they are required TO examine. The
legislature neglected to make an approprla-
ton for salary of the state veterinarian, and
the amount necessary for that purpose to
October s, 1856, was borrowed upon the Joint
notes of myself and others, and with interest
to February Is, 1887, will amount to S3.+S. 20,
for the repayment of which sum, together
with salary for the quarter ending the sth
inst, SG25, you are asked to make immediate
provision
DISCOVERY OF COAL.
We have at this time upon the statutes of
Nebraska law which provides that the
board of count commissioners OF each county
in this state are authorized and required to
submit to the legal voters thereof, on presen-
tati0n of a petition OF twenty resident free
holders of said county, the proposition to
issue bonds not exceeding S20, 900, the pro-
ceeds OF which shall be applied to defray the
expenses of boring and prospecting. for coal
in their respective counties under the direc-
tion OF the commissioners thereof, and said
boards are authorized to issue the said bonds
for said purpose, in case the vote shall be
favorable to the proposition.
we have also law which provides that
when 1t shall be made apparent to the gov
ernor of Nebraska, by affidavit of the owner or
owners thereof, that vein of coal not less
than twenty-siX inches in depth, and
OF sufficient capacity to. pay to mine, and
within paying distance from the surface has
been discovered, or vein of good iron ore
eighteen inches thick, 1t shall be the duty of
the governor TO appoint q suitable person to
examine the same, whose duty it shall be to
report the probable extent and capacity of
the vein, or veins, upon personal eXamina-
tion and measurement. all expenses for said
examination TO be paid tor by the owner or
owners of said mines. Said report being sat
isfactOry to the governor, he Shall direct the
auditor 10 draw an order on the treasurer for
the sum of - 900, to be paid 10 the owner or
OwnOrs OF said mine Of coal.
The great Importance of the fuel question
tol the people of our state, and my de-
sire to bring this subject to your notice in
the most favorable light is my justification
for quoting thus freely from existing laws;
and have done 50 for the twO-foid purpose
OF showing the Importance of this matter IN
the minds of legislators who have
views upon it as expressed by exist
ing laws, and with the hope that
you may see it in the direct line OF duty and
sound public policy to occupy advanced
ground upon this subject | do not now re-
call a single instance in which the people OF
county, exercising their right under the
statutes, have seen fit to assume the burden of
seeking TO develop their coal interests and il
presents itself to my judgment as burden
or duty that should be assumed by the state
Numerous inquiries have been made of this
department during the past two years in the
matter OF reward offered by the state for the
discovery OF coal but in one case only has
the reward been claimed and an examination